Scattering The Ashes

My first published novel, Scattering the Ashes, currently being submitted to literary agents and publishers.

This is a story that will engage and inspire readers to overcome challenges and to learn to appreciate the people and simpler things in their lives. Written in an enjoyable prose, this story has a strong character-driven plot with surprising humor.

Scattering the Ashestells the story of Sam Holmes, a school teacher, not yet thirty years old, who is living an uneventful, yet not unpleasant, life. Although he doesn’t admit it to himself, Sam is lonely. While Sam is a dedicated and hard-working teacher, he is energized by the fact that the school year has ended and an endless summer sits before him. Sam plans to use much of this free time to train for his first marathon in New York City.

Sam’s life is radically changed when his father passes away. He soon finds himself in the office of Donald M. Stevens as the contents of his father’s Last Will and Testament are read to him. Sam learns that this Will is not like any other. Before he can earn his inheritance, Sam must visit various places that had been significant in his father’s life. As a result, Sam is thrust into a journey he neither wanted nor asked for.

Scattering The Ashes is the story of a young man and his father told through travels to locations that were meaningful to them. This story is also told through the real life confrontations Sam faces as he returns to work and is forced to confront a contentious situation. As he tries to make sense of this difficult period, Sam has to confront his father’s past history and decision as an educator himself.

Fortunately, it is during his travels that Sam meets a special young woman, Rachel Parker, who helps bring direction, clarity, and focus to him. Through his experiences with Rachel, Sam Holmes makes the critical decisions that will impact the rest of his life.

Reviewers for this work have been extremely positive. The story has been called “delightful” and “uplifting.”

Author Paul Semendinger has been told of this work, “You have something special on your hands.”

(Please note, the book cover pictured above contains the art of Mr. Glen Evans. Thank you Mr. Evans for allowing me to use your beautiful photography for my book cover.)